Richard Dean

Richard A. Dean, 90, of Great Falls, a retired retail salesman, died of natural causes on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at a local care facility.No Services are planned at his request. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangementsRichard Adair Dean was born on July 3, 1922 in Valier, MT to Dorwell and Freda (Fulmer) Dean. He went to school in Valier and graduated from Valier High School. He moved to Seattle where he went to work at Boeing. While in Seattle he entered the U.S. Air Force on October 16, 1942. He was an instructor pilot for a year. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force on April of 1947.While in the Air Force he married Bennie Fae Wood of Coricana, TX on August 4, 1944. She died in 1996. After his discharge they remained in Texas until 1959, when he returned to Valier and farmed for several years. He went into sales and moved to Great Falls where he worked for Coast to Coast, later A & I Distributors, and finally Certified Labs for seven years retiring in 1987. After which he decided to drive School Bus for 14 years. In September of 1997 he married Kathleen Darko in Great Falls.He was a Cub Scout leader for many years at the Oddfellow Lodge. He was a member of the Methodist Church. In his spare time he loved travelling, golfing, and woodworking. He enjoyed sports and was an avid football fan.Richard is survived by his wife Kathleen Kay Dean of Great Falls; daughter Terrie Sullivan of Boulder, MT; daughter-in-law Gail Dean of Great Falls; step children, Bev Lichty and her husband Dee of Jacksonville, FL, Doug Darko and his wifeVickie of Great Falls, brothers, Donald Dean, Dale Dean both of Big Fork, MT, Wayne Dean of Great Falls; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his son Richard Dean Jr.; daughter Karen Diane Dean; and brother Raymond Dean great granddaughter Daytona.